Hundreds of games lovers are stepping back in time to enjoy some of the greats from years gone by.

For the second year, North East Retro Gaming (NERG) has taken place at Gateshead International Stadium and games enthusiasts can enjoy playing up to 100 different arcade classics, including Space Invaders, Star Wars, Pacman, Asteroids, Demolition Man and Frogger.

Dad-of-one Andrew Boo, 30, a bank worker, of Whitley Bay, attended the event dressed as his favourite character Batman. He said: “It’s important that we have events like NERG as it’s great to have all the old games and pinball machines under one roof. I have always played computer games and I enjoy the older games as it brings back some good childhood memories.”

Highlights of the event include 60 pinball machines and 60 consoles, as well as competitions, games and a cosplay competition for dressing up as a favourite character, with a first prize of £250.

Student Heather Clark, 17, of Bedlington, Northumberland, was at the event dressed as comic book character Lady Deadpool. She said: “I will be at the event all weekend. It’s nice to have such a good range of computer games to play. I was really excited when I saw all the games. There’s also a really good atmosphere at NERG as everyone gets on well.”

NERG is the brainchild of gaming enthusiast Philip Murphy, an IT specialist, who was keen to bring all the old games to the North East. The computer games machines have been sourced from private collectors from all over the country, including Blackburn, Edinburgh and Manchester.

Phil, 45, of Consett, County Durham, said: “I went to a retro gaming event in Blackpool and I decided that I wanted to bring a similar event to the North East.

“There is a huge gaming scene in the region and we hope that hundreds of people will attend each day. Last year’s event was very successful and we expect it to be even more popular this year.

“In this day and age it is all about online gaming but the retro machines show what the computer games and machines used to look like.”

It is expected that NERG will become an annual event and Gateshead International Stadium has already been booked for 2015.

Ian Wardrobe, 51, and unemployed IT engineer, of Hartlepool, was at NERG dressed as the computer game character Resident Evil.

He said: “I play a lot of computer games but they tend to be the ones I like and that I’m used to. It is good to have a gaming event like NERG in the North East.”

Steve Perry travelled all the way from Essex with his collection of consoles to showcase at NERG, with the oldest machine dating back to 1977.

The 35-year-old said: “There is obviously a huge passion for gaming in the North East and it’s nice to be able to show off the collection of consoles that I have and let them be seen and played.”

NERG is on today until 7pm, and Sunday from 10.30am-5pm. There will also be a Classic Gaming Championship 2014 to find a winner at North East Retro Gaming.